Review: The Servant Boy by Reesha Goral

The Servant Boy highlights the adventures of Zayne Shah, a young man who lives through the most horrific disaster his village, Saidpur, has ever seen. An epidemic has unknowingly raged through Saidpur and is taking the lives of umpteen folk before his eyes. Zayne is determined to find a cure to the mystery, at whatever the cost may be, even if that cost is a price he cannot presently afford.

Zayne goes through a series of ups and downs as he takes you with him, embracing life through vivid details, all of which include paradoxes that anyone from any walk of life can relate to: life and death, happiness and grief, love and envy, friendship and animosity.

Although The Servant Boy is a multicultural novel, and will appeal to those that will enjoy learning about the colorful and vibrant culture of Pakistan, it will also enchant those who enjoy mystery, fantasy, adventure, friendship, and romance. There is something in the novel for everyone.

Zayne Shah is the servant boy who along with his mother works for the Peerzadas; an affluent family in Saidpur, Pakistan. His character is well written and relatable at most part but I can't say he was a character I loved. I disagreed with him at many points, especially his obsessiveness with Asiya which was basically stalking. He doesn't mean any harm but his stalking her at all times didn't sit well with me.

I have mixed feelings about Asiya too. At some points she seemed like a well put together mature person and at other points I wasn't a huge fan of her thoughts or actions.

My favourite character in the book was Gapoori. She adds so much liveliness to the story with her personality! I loved every scene with her and found her to be extremely relatable and wonderfully written. She's kind, bossy, sweet and level-headed and once can't help but smile every time she is mentioned.

I really enjoyed Zayne's rags to riches story and the small mysteries that keep happening around him. The fantasy part of the story absolutely had me hooked but I wasn't completely happy with the ending. I had so many questions and wanted to know more.

I enjoyed how the story moved at a relaxed pace but never bored me once. The story is more than a rags and riches novel. Set in the wonderfully colorful Saidpur, the story is about human character, love and friendship. They may not be a part of the bigger plot but they are what give the story it's cozy feel. I enjoyed reading about the culture of Pakistan, with the gorgeous weddings and colourful kite festivals!

I absolutely enjoyed reading the author's description of life in Saidpur; the weddings, festivals, fairs and what not. The writing was even paced and the imagery was wonderful.

- The Diversity

- Most of the plot

- The Writing

- Gapoori

- How the fantasy plot line ended

- Certain actions/thoughts of some characters

The Servant Boy while being a rags to riches novel is also a wonderfully diverse and well written book about friendship, love, family and loss.